Covid Recovery & Revitalisation - Derry

Covid Recovery & Revitalisation: Street Life + Vibrant Places

DRAFTCopyright and Intellectual Property:The use of any sketches and design development proposals within this document require permission in writing prior to use and reproduction. The use of any sketch or design material must clearly credit the Architects.

FINAL DRAFT IN ADVANCE OF ENVIRONMENT & REGENERATION COMMITTEE 2

Introduction | ApproachDerry & Strabane Disctrict Council’s Street Life guidance is borne out of the unexpected and unforeseen severe economic consequences associated with the COVID-19 health pandemic, and in particular, its impact upon the vitality and viability of our town and city centres. Whilst most businesses have reopened, confidence levels still remain low among businesses and consumers, in terms of getting back to pre-COVID-19 economic activity levels. This guidance illustrates that by making some changes to the way we utilise and enjoy our city and town centres we can make them safer and more accessible and also generate greater consumer and business confidence, which is critical to city and town centre recovery.

OGU/ MMAS Architects were commissioned in July 2020to help with analysis and strategy around the potentialfor temporary adjustments to public space related to theCovid 19 outbreak in the Derry city and Strabane towncentres and how these could be implemented to maximise benefit. This document is intended as a guidance and discussion document for Derry City and Strabane District Council in liason with local business and residents as decisions are made about how streets and roads are used most efficiently for social distancing, outdoor seating and street life but also to think longer term about how identified streets in both Strabane and Derry could be made more vibrant as part of this work. The latter pages of this document also provide context and general advice on curating outdoor space which has already been used to inform strategy for business grants in the city.

Separate to this commission, the OGU/ MMAS team have been working with Belfast Buildings Trust, Department fcr Infrastructure, Queens University Belfast, IMTAC and local businesses to complete the first parklet in Northern Ireland on the Oremeau Raod. Contructed in a week as a trial for the Department for Infrastructure, it is now the subject of research by the team and Queen’s University to measure its impact.

Ormeau Road Parklet(OGU/ MMAS Architects 2020

Above: Strategic diagram of ‘Cathedral Quarter’ including the Diamond, Ferryquay Street, Bishop Street, Pump Stret and London Street.

Left: Ormeau Road Parklet, Belfast (OGU & MMAS Architects) Constructed in 4 days September 2020 as a trial for increasing pedestrian space for social distancing, providing space for outdoor dining and improve the quality of public space.The project was completed in collaboration with Belfast Buildings Trust, Department for Infrastructure, Queens University, IMTAC and is currently the subject of measurement and research to assess impact.

Copyright and Intellectual Property:The use of any sketches and design development proposals within this document require permission in writing prior to use and reproduction. The use of any sketch or design material must clearly credit the Architects.

FINAL DRAFT IN ADVANCE OF ENVIRONMENT & REGENERATION COMMITTEE3

Waterloo Street

Waterloo Place

The Diamond +Ferryquay Street

Bishop Street

Bishop Street Car Park

Guild HallSquare

FoyleStreet

EbringtonSquare

Derry | A Walkable CityDerry is a compact, historical and beautiful city to wander around and explore. Whilst noting the topography has challenges for some which need to be considered, few places within the core are more than a five or ten minute walk from each other.

CathedralPump Street + London Street


Derry | Cathedral Quarter Streets

Introduction

One of the areas with huge potential to help businesses during any temporary measures is the area around the Diamond, Ferryquay Street, Pump Street, London Street and Bishop Steet.Opportunity exists to add street improvements to support people using the streets during the pandemic period. If considered with a long term view and in collaboration with businesses, some of these measures could help to test ideas and create much more vibrant and atmospheric streets which will develop this part of Derry city centre.The covid measures here could be curated to intensify use and generate footfall for businesses. The area has many things to attract people - a mixture of grand old buildings like the former Austins Department Store as well as intimate human-scale streets in the shadow of the cathedral such as London Street and Pump Street.This is an area of Derry where - working with local businesses - some temproary measures could be utilised to inform longer term improvements in the city centre. The pages overleaf are designed to help discuss some

Castle Street around 1930 (Cooper Collection PRONI)

5 Minute Walk = ~400mScale Ref | Pump Street = ~100m

Foyleside Car Park

1500 Spaces

XCar ParkX SpacesBishop Street

Car ParkX Spaces

The central core of Derry is defined by short, walkabledistances. A large amount of parking can be reachedwithin five minutes’ walk from the Diamond which might allow minor adjustments to streets to help some businesses.

Strand Road

The Diamond prior to pavement reductions and addition of perimeter parking (PRONI)

possible trials and interventions which aim tosustain and enhance footfall in this part of the city centre as it revovers from the covid 19 pandemic.


Bishop Street Car Park 176 Spaces (based on City Centre Off Street Parking analysis)

Seating OpportunityExisting paved area in use by the Cathedral as car park.Potential for outdoor seating/ coffee with view of the cathedral. It should be not a site owned by council and it is noted for discussion as a potential place for seating and a coffee or food van during a trial period. The site has huge potential to drive engagment with the Cathedral and this part of the city - particularly the walking loop around Pump Street, London Street, Ferryquay Street, Bishop Street and the Diamond (see diagrams overleaf).

Bishop StreetPotential for better use of what is a very wide road to support business with outdoor seating (see diagrams overleaf).

St Columbs Cathesdral (Visible from London Street and Pump Street


Pump StreetPotential for minor adjusments to link better to adjacent

streets and increase footfall during

recovery period

Ferryquay Street Single lane of traffic

to allow for additional pavement widening

and space for social distancing and

businesses.

The DiamondEncourage better connections and

encourage footfall in this part of the city. Encouraging active

use of the ground floor of the former

Austins building will be key.

BronPotential for outdoor seating to be discussed with businesses on Bishops Street generally.

Cathedral Quarter LoopImproving pedestrian experience and

space for social distancing around the Cathedral Quarter (see diagrams

overleat)


Derry | Ferryquay Street + Diamond

Ferryquay Street and the Diamond have suffered from the erosion of pavement space over the years. The Diamond has become an island, dominated by the movement of cars. The introduction of temporary/meanwhile vehicular traffic restrictions along Ferryquay Street in terms of a one-way traffic flow, presents signficant opportunities for creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment along

Awnings along Ferryquay Street (PRONI)

this busy commercial street. Evidence elsewhere is that this makes the experience better for those using the city - increasing footfall and profits for local businesses.Promoting active ground floor frontages is important forany proposals that the Council and its partners may wish to progress with in this area. In order to fully realise the proposed creation of meanwhile public realm space outside Austins, then it will be important to explore if there is potential to address the presentation of the ground floor of the Austins building, which is predominated by external shutters. The creation of quality meanwhile public realm space will encourage people to utilise/dwell around this locality and it may encourage some temporary ‘pop-up’ uses in the ground floor, or the creation of high quality window displays. The Council is exploring how the Austin’s and Richmond quadrants could be more animated in order to activate the Diamond area and help generate footfall and vibrancy.Proposals for Consideration• Widen foot paths on one side of Ferryquay Street

(requirement of social distancing/ public health)• Adding additional public amenity space on the

Diamond during the trial period with high quality planted boundary treatments and pavement graphics.

• Encouraging footfall and commercial opportunities for businesses to utilise the additional public realm space created as part of this initiative.

• Encourage a better relationship of the Diamond to Ferryquay Street, Bishop Street and the cathedral.

• Encourage temporary use of former Austins building at ground floor to generate activity at street level.

• Temporary pop up space appropriate for a conservation area curated outside Austins with outdoor seating (potentially covered) for the period of the trial.

• Use graphic pavement signage and marketing to direct people around and help them discover new parts of Derry (and businesses)

• Potential for planting and trees.• Attempt to curate the area during the trial alongside

Bishop Street, Pump Street and London Street as part of a ‘Cathedral Quarter’ to generate footfall and encourage recovery in this part of the city.The Diamond with Austins and Bishop Street in the background

(PRONI)Outdoor seating Parklet with pavement graphics providing boundary with road (Gensler)

Repurposed container used for coffee stand with high level seating and viewing area could help activate streets (Napp Arch.)

Simple coffee/ beverage vans can be utilised to activate streets and generate footfall during the trial


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Derry | Ferryquay Street + Diamond Diagram

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F E R R Y Q U A Y S T R E E T

B i S

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1. Level, accessible extension to pavement2. Level, accessible extension to pavement3. Austins opened at ground floor during the trial.4. Robust planted boundaries to road5. Existing dropped kerbs provide access to pocket park/ expanded public realm and the central part of the Diamond.6. Pavement graphics at ground level and seating provide an expanded public realm in the centre of Derry during the trial7. Working with nearby coffee/ beverage/ food providers, consider mobile/ pop-up outdoor coffee space to help activate the street level and encourage people to dwell at the Diamond.8. Better use of outdoor space on Richmond side to support adjacent businesses.9. Potential for more efficent use of existing width of Bishop Street to accommodate higher footfall and pavement seating for businessesNB Proposals subject to technical design by DfI

4


Ferryquay StreetOne way traffic

towards Diamond.Pavement extended

to provide space for social distancing

on one side in accordance with

relevant roads and pavement standards

(and IMTAC Guidance).

Subject to technical design by DfI Roads

Engineer

The DiamondTrial of extended

public realm Planted boundaries

and seating installed (existing dropped kerb

provides access) The space requires activation to attract

people - explore the potential for

the ground floor of Austins to be

occupied/ opened up on a temporary basis for the trial. Potential for coffee/ food sales in Austins or outside.

Seating also provided on the existing

Richmond corner of

Bishop Street OpportunitiesPotential to better utilise the existing width of the street for social distancing

and to improve pedestrian experience & generate footfall in liaison with local business - refer to Bishop Street section of document

Bishop’s Gate HotelPotential for covered outdoor

seating area whilst retaining drop-off/ loading discussed with hotel

Cathedral

Bishop Street Car Park One minute walk to Diamond

Curating CathedralQuarter

Diamond

Bishop Street

Bron Potential for

outdoor seating to be discussed

Pump Street Encourage foot fall on Pump Street with various measures to be discussed with local businesses (see sheet overleaf)

Cathedral Square Potential to be discussed for trial


3

2

1

1. Pavement before extension, South Anne Street Dublin (pictures @karlpurdy/ @coffeeangel)

2. Pavement extended, South Anne Street Dublin

3. Extended area used for seating and social distancing (pictures @karlpurdy/ @coffeeangel)

One w

ay tr

affic


Derry | Bishop Streetbeen an encouraging step to regenerate the area. Bishop Street (and the streets off it) have a varied, quirky mix of independent shops and cafes that should be supported and encouraged to develop with additional footfall over the next 12 months. When considered in conjunction with the adjacent intimate streets, city walls and heritage buildings including the cathedral, it is a lovely part of the city to wander and discover on foot.

Proposals for Consideration:

• Widen pavement on one side of Bishop Street to provide more space for social distancing.

• Facilitate parklets and outdoor seating for businesses who would like it.

• Encourage people to stay in the area for longer.• Return some of the trees/ planting to Bishop Street

beside outdoor seating - see historic photos. This could be on a temporary basis with the trees moved around to change the nature of the street.

• Add additional places for cycle parking in sensbile locations

• Encourage walking around the intimate streets in and around Bishops Street and the city walls with appropriate marketing and events.

• Encourage people to think differently about this part of Derry and trial some small scale events and pop-ups - to be discussed with local business as covid restrictions begin to reduce.

• Learning from existing recent civic events which have taken place on Bishop Street - discuss the potential for closing Bishop Street to cars on a couple of days to trial how a socially distanced food market or pop up events might work. As restrictions reduce, people will need to be attracted back into the city - this is an area of the city that could be utilised..

• Encourage footfall and street life as part of a city wide strategy.

Bishop Street is a grand street with beautiful proportions. Historically it was lined with trees. Over time, pavement widths have been eroded and the road and associated parking has become much more dominant despite not having heavy traffic. This has resulted in a reduction of the quality of pedestrian experience and footfall generally.The recent refurbishment of the Bishop’s Gate Hotel has

Bishop Street, a tree lined boulevard (PRONI) Could additional trees be reinstated to add to the atmosphere of the street?

The Diamond with Austins and Bishop Street in the background(PRONI)

Parklet, Liverpool (Meristem Design)

Simple timber boundary treatments, Glasthule, Dublin (@robertburn73)


Bishop’s Gate Hotel ParkletPotential for pavement extension + outdoor seating/ parklet whilst reatinaing drop-off andf loading area to be discussed with Hotel.

Ferryquay Street and the Diamond

Encourage better links with Bishop Street.

Refer to previous sheets.

Bishop Street Recovery Events

It may be possible to explore intermittent events taking place

on the street to encourage footfall and explore the long term future of the street as

restrictions become less onerous.

Pavement ExpansionMake the existing road width work harder (refer to historical photos of street)Potential to expand the pavement along one side of Bishop Street to allow for outdoor seating for cafes and restaurants.Planting and trees could also improve the pedestrian experience and encourage people to stay longer in a much more vibrant street less dominated by parking.

Derry WallsPedestrian traffic ‘walking the walls’

Bishop Street Car ParkLarge number of parking spaces within 30 seconds of Bishop Streeet

Courthouse + Bishops GateTourist pedestrian traffic


Derry | Pump Street + London Street

• Discuss potential to use part of the existing cathedral car park for outdoor seating and coffee/ food during a wider covid recovery strategy for the area.

• Festoon lighting to add atmosphere.• Stickers on Bishop Street and Ferryquay Street

advertising events and pop ups to encourage footfall and curate this as the ‘Cathedral Quarter’.

• Discuss if there is a better way to organise the street to support pedestrians, social distancing and business at this time.

• Work with businesses and partners to curate the long term vision for Pump Street and the Cathedral Quarter to develop this beautiful of the city.

• Encourage visitors who have not used the area before to spend time walking the cluster of streets.

Pump Street and London Street are beautiful, historical, intimate streets set with the cathedral in view. For visitors to Derry they are streets which often remain undiscovered. The requirement for more space for social distancing and outdoor street life offers the chance to trial changes to encourage more people to experience this historic part of Derry - there is huge long term potential.

Proposals for Consideration

• Explore opportunities to use existing parking spaces on Pump Street for additional pavement space and outdoor seating.

1. Pedestrianised street trial2. Coffee dock from Isospace3. Pavement graphics/ stickers to direct people to streets during covid recovery trial interventions.outdoor seating with church in background, Liverpool

(Meristem Design)


Pump StreetStreet signage on Ferryquay Street and festoon lighting to encourage passers by to venture up Pump Street. Explore measures which would help local business and improive the street during the recovery period. Would places for sitting outside and additional space for people exploring the area help make a better quality experience and increase footfall?

London StreetStreet signage on Bishop

Street and festoon lighting to encourage passers by to

venture down London Street.

Cathedral SquareExplore the use of part of the existing paved area currently used for parking

as a public space with outdoor seating and a coffee/ food stall during the

covid recovery measures.. This would be a lovely space with a view of the cathedral to stop and spend a bit of

time. It would generate footfall for other businesses and the area generally.

St Columbs Cathedral The historic cathredral is a centre

piece of the area. It is a lovely experience to discover it walking

up Pump Street or coming through London Street.


Derry | Waterloo Street + Waterloo Place

Derry is an attractive city to walk around. However, it suffers from a lack of places to stop off with outdoor seating and soft landscaping. Waterloo Place is an example of this - with a large area of public realm operating primarily as a thoroughfare. The recent addition of the Visit Derry Information Centre presents significant opportunities to develop Waterloo Place. The in-house council team are developing designs for this area. The adjacent Waterloo Street has a beautiful topography and location set against the historic walls. It has a mixture of small scale retail with eating and drinking establishments. There is a small amount of existing outdoor seating, which could be expanded through the grant programme in terms of the quality of the outdoor seating and the coverage it can offer. There may also be opportunities to think about how atmosphere and vibrancy can be generated on the street longer term.The upper part of Waterloo suffers from significant parking in the existing pedestrian zone which reduces the width of the street and diminishes pedestrian experience of those using the street. The team have shown an image of how the vibrancy of the street could be developed by businesses using small numbers of planters and benches installed in accordance with DCSDC guidance.

Proposals for Consideration

• Create safe, accessible streets with space for social distancing.

• Curate and generate atmosphere on Waterloo Street linked to Waterloo Place through the day with good quality outdoor spaces which encourages people to spend time in this part of the city centre.

• Animate space to increase footfall and commercial opportunities for local businesses in the town centre.

• Festoon lighting over the street.

• Businesses to avoid street clutter and arrange any boundaries, signages, barriers in a rational safe way, which is appropriate for those with visual impairments.

• Clusters of outdoor seating to increase time spent in the town centre.

• Improve quality and quantity of planting and greenery on street within pavement licence guidance.

Waterloo Place (PRONI)

Visit Derry Information CentreNew visitor centre offers opportunities to extend

public realm at Waterloo

Strand RoadOpportunies for outdoor seating to support businesses existing along Strand Road through pavement extensions and

GUILD HALL SQUARE

WATE

RLOO

SREE

T

STRAND ROAD


Simple boundary treatments, Glasthule, Dublin (@robertburns73)

LightingOverhead catenary or festoon lighting

generates warmth and makes the street more inviting at night.

Covered Areas + EnclosureOn sunny days the outdoor space will feel best when it has an open permeable feel on upper and lower parts of the street.Some businesses may want to consider awnings or heavy duty parasols (Adgey, Jesseblinds, Breezefree, Awnings of Ireland etc will provide information on these) to increase use of seating through the winter

Barriers, Planters or ScreensVarious options exist for barrier treatments which businesses could employ. The image shows how a small number of planters and outdoor seating could enliven the street and provide additional space for social distancing for beauty, food and beverage businesses. Research elsewhere would suggest this is good for business.See also Pavement License Guidance.

Simple Boundary Approach, London

Cyclehoop Parklet, London


Introduction

Covid-19 is having a global impact on economic and social lives. Cities and towns around the world are taking active steps to reshape streets and public spaces to help local businesses. In Strabane the council are working with various partners to improve the town centre at this time.

On Castle Street we are exploring the opportunity to help businesses during the pandemic and test how to increase the vibrancy and street life in the centre of Strabane longer term.

Proposals for Castle Street relate to a trial to support the existing food and beverage businesses clustered along the street. This would allow for a more efficient use of the space, drawing an increased number of people on foot, maximised through increased levels of outdoor seating. The council proposes a programme of events to encourage footfall in the town centre over the coming months to support the strategy.

Strabane | Castle Street

Castle Street around 1930 (Cooper Collection PRONI)

Proposals for Consideration:

• Working with local business partners - explore how to increase footfall in the area.

• Create safe, accessible streets with space for social distancing.

• Learn from existing successes on Castle Street in terms of generating atmosphere - Christmas Fayre and Summer Jamm to main terms of atmosphere to help make Castle Street more vibrant for those using the centre of town longer term.

• Increase footfall and commercial opportunities for local businesses in the town centre.

• Remove parking spaces on Castle street during the trial and replace with outdoor seating (within current social distancing parameters). It is important to note there are 1036 public parking spaces in the town centre with associatated designated disabled parking maintained nearby)

• Install festoon lighting over the street• Clusters of outdoor seating installed to increase time

spent in the town centre - refer to sketch plan.• Access for business deliveries maintained at set

times.

Pre-Covid Summer Jamm: Castle Street, StrabaneNote the above examples show pre-Covid activities but all the suggestions put forward in this document promote safe, social distancing

Outdoor Seating on Pedestrian Street, Waterford

Pre-Covid Christmas Fayre, Castle Street, Strabane Precedents: Restaurants using planters + screens

FINAL DRAFT IN ADVANCE OF ENVIRONMENT & REGENERATION COMMITTEE17Precedents: Restaurants using planters + screens

On Street parking spaces on Castle Place and Main Street (30 second walk)Over 500 parking spaces available within a three-minute walk

Pedestrian access(business deliveries only)

Small number of temporary stalls to draw people into town. Positions and type to be

confirmed with local business

Explore potential for

the Pagoda to be opened up and occupied during the day

Outdoor seating to enliven space and encourage people to stay in Strabane town

centre for longer periods throughout the day

Some businesses may want to utilise subtle screens and planters to delineate space or provide covered awnings or umbrellas.

Festival lighting to create atmosphere at night


Strabane | Castle Street

YardExisting outdoor seating area to

Charlie’s Bar

Seating Area 01 | SubwaySimple seating and barrier

arrangement proportionate to the number of likely

outdoor covers

Seating Area 5 | Cafe ScoopSimple approach - tables and chairs

between the trees and benches along the building edge will provide lots of outdoor seating and add to the

vibrancy of the area as pedestrians turn the corner and attract interest

from those driving past.

Seating Area 02 and 03 | Cafe Milano + BarFlexible approach, used differently throughout the day. Alternate planters and seating, suplemented

by loose chairs. Seating layout can expand and contract with changes in social distancing

legislation requirements for outdoor seating.Large awning over cafe Milano can be supported

by moveable screens taken in at night. It is important the space feels open in the better

weather and does not close down the street.

Seating Area 04 | MasalaFlexible approach - alternate planters and seating,

supplemented by loose chairs.Seating layout can expand and contract.

Large awning helps (potentially supported by temporary screens) make the space useable in a range of weathers

whilst keeping the ‘open’ feel and flow of the street.


PedestriansPedestrian movements and open flow of the street maintained.

Phased Approach | Test what works, add elements as requiredSeats and arrangement should be appropropriate to use. Fixed boundary treatment, supplemented by moveable stackable seating set out in accordance with social distancing guidance. These can be moved in and out and added to. Retains open feel. Large, well specified parasols overlap with the seating. These could be supplemented by screens (see overleaf).


ParasolsSpecification and size of parasols and awnings are important - discuss with a specialist. Do they require integrated lighting or heating?Think of the better weather as well as the bad. A phased approach can be employed best to understand what is working.

Potential Suppliers:Adgey Awnings, Jessie Blinds, Awnings of Ireland,Breezefree(amongst many others will supply a multitude of covered options and barrier options)

BoundariesSimple, well placed planted boundary treatments can be a cost effective way of providing enclosure whilst retiaining the public feel of the street.The timber and tree elements to the right have been installed for shops in Glasthule, Dublin (Photo - @robertburns73)

Castle Street | Mood Board


Edge Benches and SeatsBenches at the edge of buildings can work well for somewhere like cafe scoop where

people may not be sitting for a long time

Moveable ScreensMoveable screens can be used to supplement the enclosure at certain times of year whilst retaining the open feel of the street

Cycle StandsSome people may want to cycle into town

and grab a coffee on a weekend. Are there places for them to lock up bikes?Edge seating also employed here alongside a more playful seating

arrangement.


Outdoor Dining | Context + OpportunityTop: Pedestrianisation in Cork to accommodate restaurant seating

Bottom Left:Parking spaces used to accommodate seating

Bottom Middle:Malahide pedestrianisation to accommodate seating for local businesses

Bottom Right:Portable trees used to create temporary seating and public space in Stuttgart

In their efforts to recover from the social and economic impact of Covid-19, cities and towns around the world are taking active steps to reshape streets and public spaces to help local businesses.

To aid the ability of cafes, bars and restaurants toaccommodate additional people whilst meetingsocial distancing requirements, outdoor seating, eating and drinking spaces have expanded into streets around the world.

Businesses and councils have been taking differentapproaches to providing this additional space: in someinstances closing off streets to cars and making the spaces flexible for outdoor life, in others utilising a small number of car parking spaces to support many more people being able to sit out and use the street.

There have been reported positive results from many of the temporary trials around the world, as many of the streets have increased activity, vibrancy and footfall.

Smart city leaders are using temporary trials to learn howto use streets, pavements and roads more efficiently, analysing which approaches could be adjusted or work longer-term to create vibrant city centres, increase footfall and support the high street. Research suggests increased profits for many businesses with such approaches .

Refer to Research - including Dublin City Council Pedestrian Profit Research, Living Streets ‘The Pedestrian Pound’, Walking and Cycling: the Economic Benefits, TFL etc


Outdoor Dining | AtmosphereWhen trying to attract people to outdoor seating during the day and night there is a multitude of factors to consider. It is possible to take a phased approach and test what works. People sitting outside your business will tend to attract other people when it is working well.

Patterns of outdoor dining are already changing in Northern Ireland - people are much more likely to do so if the area is set up correctly.

Elements to think about:

• Generating atmosphere and a ‘buzz’ on the street.• Quality of tables and chairs.• Lighting at night with festoon-type lighting and

candles.• Sitting beside parked cars is generally not a driver of

footfall to your business. Think about the design of boundary treatments where there is a requirement to deal with parked cars or roads.

• Many cities around the world have generated a thriving outdoor street culture despite not having great weather (e.g. Copenhagen). Patterns in Northern Ireland are likely to change over the next 12 months - this is a change to help drive custom to your business. It is also a chance to look differently at existing spaces and try to bring people back into city centres by making towns and cities attractive destinations: interesting to walk around with attractive environments that you want to sit and spend time in.

• Refer to Derry City + Strabane Pavement Licence Guidance where relevant.

Refer to Research including :- Business Profits during Temporary Pedestrian Trials - Dublin (suggest traders income up 40-100%, 90% say it should be made permanent)- Living Streets ‘The Pedestrian Pound’, - Walking + Cycling: Economic Benefits- Transport for London Research into Pedestrian Spending- House of Commons - Active Travel: Trends, Policy + Funding (‘People walking spend almost a third more in town centres per month than car drivers £370 vs £283


Seating | SimpleIt is possible to create small, cost effecitve and simple outdoor seating areas.


• Existing pavement widths, interactions with pedestrians.

• Existing road layout if not a pedestrian area. Boundary treatments will be affected by the type of space you are dealing with. Is it pedestrianised or is there consistent levels of traffic? What speed are cars typically moving at?

• Accessibility and the visually impaired (refer to Derry City + Strabane Pavement License Guidance)

• Quality of outdoor chairs and tables (making sure they are robust enough and stackable where required). These will likely need to be brought in and out of your business and should be suitable for this purpose. A decent commercial chair will be £75-100 typically.

• ‘Ponding’ of rain - make sure seats allow rain to pass through.

• Curate a design scheme with the various treatments - tables, chairs, boundaries, planting, canopies etc.

• Refer to Derry City + Strabane Pavement License Guidance - make contact if you would like to confirm any approach in advance of an application.

• If your neighbouring businesses also wish to create outdoor seating areas, think about choosing your furniture together so that the overall effect is coordinated and attractive


Seating | BoundariesYou may want to define the area of outdoor seating with boundaries. This can be done with simple banner-type arrangements, loose planting or bespoke planters and screens. There are numerous types to meet your particular requirements.


• Curating a design which pays attention to the context of the street and promotes a sense of high quality

• Weather - how exposed is the space and how enclosed do you want to make it?

• Are boundary elements brought in at night? Do they have castors/ wheels to allow them to be moved or are they robust and solid enough to sit out?

• Planting can have a huge effect and make the space much more attractive.

• Materials - planters and boundary treatments can be bought off the shelf from specialists. However, you may want to work with a local manufacturer, joiner, or metal fabricator to make something bespoke.


Seating | Pavements + Parklets

NACTO parklet model www.nacto.orgShoreditch Parklet, London (Meristem Design)

To aid social distancing, many towns and cities are using pavement extensions and parklets to convert small areas of parking to outdoor seating. These can be temporary/reversible and take a trial approach to test what works.

Pavement Extensions

• Pavement extensions have advantages in that they can be constructed quickly and potentially be delivered working in conjunction with Department for Infrastructure.

• Can be a widening of the pavement first and foremost with a subsequent application to use some of the additional space for outdoor seating (the photos on the right show how the process has worked on Ormeau Road in Belfast). DCSDC have started discussions regarding possible locations in Derry City and Strabane town centres.

• Read in conjunction with other pages and Derry City

Parklets

• Businesses can apply to convert parking spaces to parklets and deliver these themselves.

• The business would intitially apply to Department for Infrastructure for permission. A subsequent application would be made as part of a pavement license so the proposals could be understood by council. DfI would again be consulted as part of this process.

• The parklet would then be delivered by the business.• Consider accessibility and relationship to the

pavement (NACTO Guidance on Parklets is useful in describing the considerations).

• Looking online at parklets across the world will serve as considerable inspiration.

• Contact the licensing team and DCSDC Regeneration Team if you would like further information on what is possible. Ormeau Road Parklet, Belfast in October sun

(OGU + MMAS Architects, 2020)

Ormeau Road Parklet, Belfast. parklet was delivered as a pavement extension Department for Infrastructure. Part funded by Belfast City Council, Queens University. It is currently serving as a live urban design consultation project with users and businesses providing feedback to Queens University researchers(OGU + MMAS Architects, 2020)


Seating | Parasols, Canopies and CoversThere are a vast array of options for covered spaces - the attached images will only provide a few of the options for discussion.

Parasols/ UmbrellasHeavy duty parasols and umbrellas (which can deal with significant winds) come in a variety of sizes. These can be fixed to the ground or on moveable bases. There are options to fit lights and heaters inside.

Costs are calculated on the basis of the specification required and the various choices on size, material and fixings.There are a multitude of companies who provide these such as (Adgey Awnings, Jessie Blinds, Awnings of Ireland, Breezefree among many others).

SailsTensioned ‘sails’ can be used to animate streets and provide shelter and shade. Sails can be fixed via posts or on buildings. Appropriate permissions will need to be sought where these are in public space. Please discuss with the licensing team should about proposed locations in advance of discussions.

AwningsTemporary awnings can be used for pop up eating and events. These are cost-effective but require management and may not be able to be left out at night.

In Cardiff, outdoor eating event spaces have been created, and are shared between clusters of restaurants. This is a more centralised managed approach.

Longer Term ApproachesThere are opportunities to create outdoor eating and event spaces in the city longer term. Subject to relevant planning and building control requirements, robust and more permanent structures may be useful to some businesses - making outdoor spaces useable throughout the year. These are likely to require design and planning permission. It is important that any of these spaces are associated with businesses or (when they are in public space) that they are programmed with regular events.

(Above + below) Simple more permanent structures can add longer term value and are worth thinking about in some situations for businesses. Carefully considered, simple timber + metal structures could add long term value (Brian Chilton)

Parasol with built-in heater (Breezefree) Outdoor Sails (Breezefree) Outdoor shelter and learning space (O’Donnell Brown Architects)


Above: Simple curated seats and parasols - South William Street, DublinBelow: Opportunities exist for longer term thinking around outdoor covered space. The below example is a large covered area in the Waterford Apple market. These areas depend on being curated and populated by people.

Above: Pyke n Pommes have repurposed shipping containers and an old bus to provide covered outdoor seating, generate interest and curate atmosphere (@pykenpommes)Below: Simple covered awnings are a cheap and effective temporary measure for pop up events and markets. A vibrant array of colours helps with the effect.


Consultation and Stakeholders

- Local business- DCSDC- NWDO- Department for Infrastructure- Department for Communities (North West Development Office- Pavement Licensing Team- IMTAC- Strabane Bid Team- City Centre Initiative

Image CreditsImages are from various sources including:

Architects/ Designers Images- OGU Architects- MMAS Architects- Meristem Design- Napp Architecture- Gensler- Isospace- Brian Chilton

Organisations Images- NACTO- Living Streets- Derry City and Strabane District Council- Google Maps- Dublin City Council- Transport for London

Social Media (Urban Designers and Restaurants/ Cafes)Some images are from social media accounts:@robertburn73@karlpurdy@coffeeangel@pyknenpommes@wearecanteen@cornstore_corkGlasgowlive website

Suppliers- Breezefree- Cyclehoop

Covid Recovery & Revitalisation: Street Life + Vibrant Places

Documents

Covid Recovery & Revitalisation - Derry